A health chief has pledged his “total commitment” to establishing a new 24-hour mental health crisis centre in Dundee

Councillor Ken Lynn, vice-chairman of the Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership, said he saw the hub as being separate from existing facilities such as Ninewells Hospital or Carseview and to be “more central, more in the community and staffed by mental health professionals”.

It comes after a commission set up to tackle poverty and deprivation in Dundee recommended the creation of a 24-hour drop-in service offering clinical, non-clinical, therapeutic and peer support.

The commission found that people reaching crisis point outside normal working hours were unable to self-refer for support when they need it most and some campaigners have criticised policy makers for a perceived lack of action on the issue.